As voting citizens of Burlington are considering whether to approve a 1 percent increase in the city sales tax in the upcoming municipal election Tuesday, April 5, City Administrator Jim Keehne said, “There are many exemptions to the city and state sales tax which many may not be aware of.
“Most people are aware they do not pay any city or state sales tax on food, including food sold through vending machines. Food is taxed in all Kansas food stores.
“The City of Burlington follows the same guidelines for collecting sales taxes as the State of Colorado.”
He continued his discussion listing additional exemptions as follows:
Residential energy usage. All electricity, gas, coal, wood and fuel oil are not taxes.
Generally speaking, all labor and services.
Medicine and medical equipment.
Farm equipment.
Coins and precious metal bullion.
Seeds, plants and trees.
Pesticides.
Machinery and machine tools.
Sales of low-emitting vehicles.
School related sales.
Renewable energy components.
Beetle wood products.
Space craft.
Air craft and air craft parts.
All charitable organizations and government agencies and institutions.
If the one percent increase in sales tax is approved, it will be used exclusively for the construction, maintaining, rebuilding and improving streets and alleys.
The language on the ballot measure locks the money place. It would be illegal for the city to use the funds in any other way.